Patents by Inventor Robin L. Tiner

Robin L. Tiner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250046578
    Abstract: A method can include removing material from a first side of a diffuser block to form a back-side gradient surface of a diffuser, wherein the back-side gradient surface is a first concave surface, after removing the material from the first side, removing material from a second side of the diffuser block to form a front-side gradient surface of the diffuser, wherein the front-side gradient surface is a second concave surface, and forming a plurality of opening structures through the front-side gradient surface to the back-side gradient surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Changling Li, Lai Zhao, Gaku Furuta, Soo Young Choi, Robin L. Tiner, David Atchley, Ganesh Babu Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 12140168
    Abstract: A mask frame support unit includes a case, a protruding body extending below the case, and a station having a flat head disposed above the case. The protruding body includes a tapered region and a cylindrical region. The tapered region includes a first end having a first diameter coupled to the case and comprising a second end having a second diameter opposite the first end. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the tapered region is coupled to the cylindrical region at the second end. The case houses a number of components including an upper receiving plate in contact with the station, a lower receiving plate disposed underneath the upper receiving plate, a flat head unit movement support mechanism disposed between the lower receiving plate and the body, and a centering component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Yousefi, Ganesh Babu Chandrasekaran, Robin L. Tiner, Jianhua Zhou, Isami Iguchi
  • Patent number: 12136538
    Abstract: A diffuser includes a front-side gradient surface formed from a diffuser block, a back-side gradient surface formed from the diffuser block, and opening structures formed from the front-side gradient surface to the back-side gradient surface. Each opening structure includes a conical opening having a first end along the front-side gradient surface and a second end corresponding to an apex at a depth within the diffuser block, and a cylindrical opening formed from the depth to the back-side gradient surface. The opening structures are arranged in rows including a first set of rows and a second set of rows alternately positioned along a length of the diffuser block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Changling Li, Lai Zhao, Gaku Furuta, Soo Young Choi, Robin L. Tiner, David Atchley, Ganesh Babu Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11773489
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas confiner assembly designed to reduce the non-uniform deposition rates by confining the gas flow and changing the local gas flow distribution near the edge regions of the substrate. The material, size, shape and other features of the gas confiner assembly can be varied based on the processing requirements and associated deposition rates. In one embodiment, a gas confiner assembly for a processing chamber comprises a gas confiner configured to decrease gas flow and compensate for high deposition rates on edge regions of substrates. The gas confiner assembly also comprises a cover disposed below the gas confiner. The cover is configured to prevent a substrate support from being exposed to plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lai Zhao, Qunhua Wang, Robin L. Tiner, Soo Young Choi, Beom Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20230122134
    Abstract: A diffuser includes a front-side gradient surface formed from a diffuser block, a back-side gradient surface formed from the diffuser block, and opening structures formed from the front-side gradient surface to the back-side gradient surface. Each opening structure includes a conical opening having a first end along the front-side gradient surface and a second end corresponding to an apex at a depth within the diffuser block, and a cylindrical opening formed from the depth to the back-side gradient surface. The opening structures are arranged in rows including a first set of rows and a second set of rows alternately positioned along a length of the diffuser block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Changling Li, Lai Zhao, Gaku Furuta, Soo Young Choi, Robin L. Tiner, David Atchley, Ganesh Babu Chandrasekaran
  • Publication number: 20220228616
    Abstract: A mask frame support unit includes a case, a protruding body extending below the case, and a station having a flat head disposed above the case. The protruding body includes a tapered region and a cylindrical region. The tapered region includes a first end having a first diameter coupled to the case and comprising a second end having a second diameter opposite the first end. The second diameter is less than the first diameter, and the tapered region is coupled to the cylindrical region at the second end. The case houses a number of components including an upper receiving plate in contact with the station, a lower receiving plate disposed underneath the upper receiving plate, a flat head unit movement support mechanism disposed between the lower receiving plate and the body, and a centering component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Hassan Yousefi, Ganesh Babu Chandrasekaran, Robin L. Tiner, Jianhua Zhou, Isami Iguchi
  • Patent number: 11123837
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a diffuser plate for a PECVD chamber are provided. The methods provide for applying a compliant abrasive medium to round the sharp edges at corners of the output holes on a contoured downstream side of a gas diffuser plate. By rounding the edges of the output holes reduces the flaking of deposited materials on the downstream side of the gas diffuser plate and reduces the amount of undesirable particles generated during the PECVD deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ilyoung Hong, Lai Zhao, Jianhua Zhou, Robin L. Tiner, Gaku Furuta, Shinichi Kurita, Soo Young Choi
  • Patent number: 10927461
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide apparatus and methods for gas diffuser support structure for a vacuum chamber. The gas diffuser support structure comprises a backing plate having a central bore formed therethrough, an integrated cross structure formed in the central bore, and a gas deflector coupled to the cross structure by a single fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Allen K. Lau, Robin L. Tiner, Lai Zhao, Soo Young Choi
  • Patent number: 10923327
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for processing a substrate utilizing a high radio frequency (RF) power. The high RF power enables deposition of films on the substrate with more desirable properties. A first plurality of insulating members is disposed on a plurality of brackets and extends laterally inward from a chamber body. A second plurality of insulating members is disposed on the chamber body and extends from the first plurality of insulating members to a support surface of the chamber body. The insulating members reduce the occurrence of arcing between the plasma and the chamber body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jianheng Li, Lai Zhao, Robin L. Tiner, Allen K. Lau, Gaku Furuta, Soo Young Choi
  • Patent number: 10883174
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide apparatus and methods for a gas diffuser assembly for a vacuum chamber, the gas diffuser assembly comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising a hub, a plurality of curved spokes extending from the hub in a radial direction, a gusset portion coupled between the hub and each of the curved spokes, each of the gusset portions having a convex curve disposed in an axial direction, and one or more mounting holes coupled to the curved spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Allen K. Lau, Hsiang An, Lai Zhao, Jianhua Zhou, Robin L. Tiner
  • Patent number: 10697063
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a corner spoiler designed to decrease high deposition rates on corner regions of substrates by changing the gas flow. In one embodiment, a corner spoiler for a processing chamber includes an L-shaped body fabricated from a dielectric material, wherein the L-shaped body is configured to change plasma distribution at a corner of a substrate in the processing chamber. The L-shaped body includes a first and second leg, wherein the first and second legs meet at an inside corner of the L-shaped body. The length of the first or second leg is twice the distance defined between the first or second leg and the inside corner. In another embodiment, a shadow frame for a depositing chamber includes a rectangular shaped body having a rectangular opening therethrough, and one or more corner spoilers coupled to the rectangular shaped body at corners of the rectangular shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Lai Zhao, Gaku Furuta, Qunhua Wang, Robin L. Tiner, Beom Soo Park, Soo Young Choi, Sanjay D. Yadav
  • Patent number: 10676817
    Abstract: Device for processing a substrate are described herein. An apparatus for controlling deposition on a substrate can include a chamber comprising a shadow frame support, a substrate support comprising a substrate supporting surface, a shadow frame with a shadow frame body including a first support surface, a second support surface opposite the first surface, and a detachable lip connected with the shadow frame body. The detachable lip can include a support connection, a first lip surface facing the substrate, a second lip surface opposite the first lip surface, a first edge positioned over the first support surface, and a second edge opposite the first edge to contact the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Qunhua Wang, Soo Young Choi, Robin L. Tiner, John M. White, Gaku Furuta, Beom Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20200165726
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide apparatus and methods for a gas diffuser assembly for a vacuum chamber, the gas diffuser assembly comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising a hub, a plurality of curved spokes extending from the hub in a radial direction, a gusset portion coupled between the hub and each of the curved spokes, each of the gusset portions having a convex curve disposed in an axial direction, and one or more mounting holes coupled to the curved spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Allen K. LAU, Hsiang AN, Lai ZHAO, Jianhua ZHOU, Robin L. TINER
  • Publication number: 20200098549
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber includes a chamber body and a lid assembly coupled to the chamber body to define a processing volume. The lid assembly includes a backing plate coupled to the chamber body, a diffuser with a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and a heat conductive spacer disposed between and coupled to the backing plate and the diffuser to transfer heat from the diffuser to the backing plate. The plasma processing chamber further includes a substrate support disposed within the processing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Beom Soo PARK, Robin L. TINER, Jianheng LI, Sang Jeong OH, Lai ZHAO, Gaku FURUTA, Soo Young CHOI, Jeevan Prakash SEQUEIRA, Wei-Ting CHEN, Hsiao-Ling YANG, Cheng-Hang HSU, Won Ho SUNG, Hyun Young HONG
  • Publication number: 20200071833
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide apparatus and methods for gas diffuser support structure for a vacuum chamber. The gas diffuser support structure comprises a backing plate having a central bore formed therethrough, an integrated cross structure formed in the central bore, and a gas deflector coupled to the cross structure by a single fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Allen K. LAU, Robin L. TINER, Lai ZHAO, Soo Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20200043706
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for processing a substrate utilizing a high radio frequency (RF) power. The high RF power enables deposition of films on the substrate with more desirable properties. A first plurality of insulating members is disposed on a plurality of brackets and extends laterally inward from a chamber body. A second plurality of insulating members is disposed on the chamber body and extends from the first plurality of insulating members to a support surface of the chamber body. The insulating members reduce the occurrence of arcing between the plasma and the chamber body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jianheng LI, Lai ZHAO, Robin L. TINER, Allen K. LAU, Gaku FURUTA, Soo Young CHOI
  • Patent number: 10487401
    Abstract: A PECVD chamber is disclosed with a temperature controlled gas distribution showerhead. The gas distribution showerhead is temperature controlled heated by circulating a g fluid through conduit formed within or coupled to the gas distribution showerhead. The PECVD chamber comprises a gas distribution showerhead, a backing plate coupled to the gas distribution showerhead, the backing plate having a bottom surface facing and substantially parallel with and spaced from an upper surface of the gas distribution showerhead; and a temperature controlling device coupled to the gas distribution showerhead and disposed between the backing plate and the gas distribution showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Robin L. Tiner
  • Patent number: 10468221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates a shadow frame including two opposing major side frame members adjacent to two opposing minor side frame members coupled together with a corner bracket, wherein the corner bracket includes a corner inlay having legs that extend in directions generally orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaku Furuta, Soo Young Choi, Yi Cui, Robin L. Tiner, Jinhyun Cho, Jiarui Wang, Suhail Anwar
  • Patent number: 10373809
    Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to components and methods used in plasma processing, and more specifically relate to grooved surfaces for controlling RF return path lengths in plasma processing chambers and methods for forming the same. In one implementation, a backing plate for a plasma processing chamber is provided. The backing plate comprises a rectangular body. The rectangular body has a front surface, a back surface opposing the front surface, a first axis perpendicular to a center of the rectangular body and a plurality of grooves formed in the front surface. At least one groove of the plurality of grooves has a first length across the groove in a first location and a second length across the groove in a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS INC.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Robin L. Tiner
  • Publication number: 20190193233
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a diffuser plate for a PECVD chamber are provided. The methods provide for applying a compliant abrasive medium to round the sharp edges at corners of the output holes on a contoured downstream side of a gas diffuser plate. By rounding the edges of the output holes reduces the flaking of deposited materials on the downstream side of the gas diffuser plate and reduces the amount of undesirable particles generated during the PECVD deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Ilyoung HONG, Lai ZHAO, Jianhua ZHOU, Robin L. TINER, Gaku FURUTA, Shinichi KURITA, Soo Young CHOI